Pacp Trade Ministers Discuss Update On EPA Negotiations With EU
PRESS STATEMENT (86/07)
30th July 2007
PACP TRADE MINISTERS DISCUSS UPDATE ON EPA NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU
The Pacific ACP Trade Ministers meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu, 31 July 1 August will address the ongoing negotiations on a Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union and the preparations for potential negotiations on other trade agreements such as PACER (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations) with Australia and New Zealand.
In a briefing for the media ahead of the meeting, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Director of the Economic Governance Programme, Dr Roman Grynberg said there will be a host of other issues to be discussed at the PACP Trade Ministers meeting and these issues have been discussed during the PACP Senior Officers Meeting also held in Port Vila last week.
"One of the important issues that was discussed at the Officials meeting and that will go to the meeting of Ministers is revenue consequences of trade liberalization. Many countries in the region remain dependent on import duties and obviously when the EPA eventually bites in terms of lowering of tariffs that will have significant consequences for revenues of member states," Dr Grynberg said.
A study on the issue is expected to go before the PACP Trade Ministers.
The PACP Trade Ministers will also have discussions on the Pacific Island Countries future relations with China and as well as a paper on trade relations with Taiwan.
"These are sensitive issues as the PICs are divided in their recognition of China and Taiwan but there is interest from both groups in terms of developing trade and investment relations with both of those countries. Initial contacts have began with Beijing on advancing the economic relationship that exists bilaterally between the eight states that recognize PRC," Dr Grynberg said.
The Joint PACP Trade Ministers, NAOs and RAO Meeting will also consider other related trade issues including the update on the Pacific Island Trade Agreement (PICTA), the Chief Trade Negotiator for the PACER negotiations, World Trade Organization (WTO) issues and the MOU on the funding proposal for the extension of the Forum WTO Office in Geneva.
ENDS.
For more information contact Dr Roman Grynberg, the Forum's Director of Economic Governance on phone 678 22934 or email: romang@forumsec.org.fj
30th July 2007
PACP TRADE MINISTERS DISCUSS UPDATE ON EPA NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU
The Pacific ACP Trade Ministers meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu, 31 July 1 August will address the ongoing negotiations on a Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union and the preparations for potential negotiations on other trade agreements such as PACER (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations) with Australia and New Zealand.
In a briefing for the media ahead of the meeting, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Director of the Economic Governance Programme, Dr Roman Grynberg said there will be a host of other issues to be discussed at the PACP Trade Ministers meeting and these issues have been discussed during the PACP Senior Officers Meeting also held in Port Vila last week.
"One of the important issues that was discussed at the Officials meeting and that will go to the meeting of Ministers is revenue consequences of trade liberalization. Many countries in the region remain dependent on import duties and obviously when the EPA eventually bites in terms of lowering of tariffs that will have significant consequences for revenues of member states," Dr Grynberg said.
A study on the issue is expected to go before the PACP Trade Ministers.
The PACP Trade Ministers will also have discussions on the Pacific Island Countries future relations with China and as well as a paper on trade relations with Taiwan.
"These are sensitive issues as the PICs are divided in their recognition of China and Taiwan but there is interest from both groups in terms of developing trade and investment relations with both of those countries. Initial contacts have began with Beijing on advancing the economic relationship that exists bilaterally between the eight states that recognize PRC," Dr Grynberg said.
The Joint PACP Trade Ministers, NAOs and RAO Meeting will also consider other related trade issues including the update on the Pacific Island Trade Agreement (PICTA), the Chief Trade Negotiator for the PACER negotiations, World Trade Organization (WTO) issues and the MOU on the funding proposal for the extension of the Forum WTO Office in Geneva.
ENDS.
For more information contact Dr Roman Grynberg, the Forum's Director of Economic Governance on phone 678 22934 or email: romang@forumsec.org.fj
